Chapter 60: Pigmen Tribe
“Humph, I’ll spare you this time since I’m in a good mood.”
Li Meng initially planned to freeze the lake.
But since he had already obtained what he wanted, it was unnecessary.
Afterward, Li Meng walked into the depths of the forest with a pleased expression.
In the following days, Li Meng continued heading upstream.
He traveled over mountains and rivers, walking and stopping along the way.
Five days later, on the northern bank of Goblin River.
About twenty kilometers away from Goblin River, there was a large mountain.
Halfway up the mountain, near a cliff, stood a green-skinned figure.
The green-skinned figure was Li Meng.
Standing high gave him a panoramic view of the forest at the mountain’s base.
However, the forest was far from peaceful and was bustling with noise.
The forests on both sides of a tributary of Goblin River were being logged.
Within the forest, numerous humanoid creatures with pig heads could be seen.
They wielded stone axes, huffing and puffing as they chopped down trees.
These creatures were much taller than goblins.
Their average height was around 1.9 meters.
They looked plump yet sturdy at the same time.
Compared to pigs, they resembled humans more.
Their pig heads, aside from their large noses and ears, leaned more towards human features.
The Pigmen Tribe had been living here for some time.
On both sides of the stream stood rows of brand-new thatched huts.
Although the structures were simple and looked rather rough,
they were decent shelters from wind and rain.
Within the tribe, a few campfires emitting smoke could be seen.
The presence of campfires indicated that the Pigmen Tribe knew how to use fire.
“At last, I’ve found you!”
Looking at the distant Pigmen Tribe, Li Meng murmured to himself.
Another purpose of following the stream upstream was to locate the Pigmen Tribe.
After a month, he had finally found them.
The Pigmen Tribe was large, with at least 2,000 members visible to the eye.
If not for the undigested droppings he had seen in Goblin River,
finding the Pigmen Tribe wouldn’t have been easy.
Turning slightly, Li Meng looked southward.
The end of this tributary was Goblin River.
At the confluence, Goblin River meandered southward into Goblin Forest.
The Pigmen Tribe’s settlement was about seventy kilometers away from the tribe.
Not too close, but not too far either.
Li Meng used charcoal to record the Pigmen Tribe’s location on a wooden board.
“It’s time to return!”
Li Meng hadn’t forgotten about the black robe matter.
However, the black robe likely wouldn’t appear so soon.
Although the life simulation provided vague future information,
it didn’t specify when the black robe would show up.
Still, some clues allowed him to estimate a rough timeframe.
Before long, the green-skinned figure on the cliff had vanished.
Traveling upstream had taken over a month, as he moved sporadically between the north and south banks.
But returning to the tribe only took Li Meng five days.
On the afternoon of the fifth day, Li Meng arrived back at the tribe.
The goblins guarding the entrance to the cave dwelling grew ecstatic upon seeing their leader return.
Two goblins looked at their boss with flattery as he approached.
“Go find Gobuge and tell him to bring some clay over!”
Li Meng instructed the goblin underlings as he walked up.
One goblin immediately turned and ran toward the iron cavern.
Li Meng glanced around but didn’t see Benben.
“Boss, Benben left half a month ago and hasn’t returned yet.”
This news surprised Li Meng.
He didn’t dwell on it too much and entered the dwelling.
Benben was an ogre, and its armor alone allowed it to roam Goblin Forest freely.
Although he didn’t know where Benben had gone,
Li Meng believed it would return eventually.
Entering the dwelling, Li Meng found that the female Lizardmen were absent.
He knew exactly where they had gone.
They must have gone to the iron cavern to deliver milk to the male Lizardmen.
Li Meng didn’t linger in the dwelling.
Seeing it empty, he turned and left.
“I wonder how Gobuda is doing!”
Walking through the tribe, Li Meng pondered silently.
After over a month, he hoped Gobuda hadn’t disappointed him.
Before long, Li Meng arrived at the woodworking workshop.
“The boss is here! The boss is here!”
Upon seeing the boss, the goblins at the door acted as if they had seen a ghost.
They turned and ran into the workshop, even shutting the door behind them.
This scene gave Li Meng a bad feeling.
At the door, Li Meng heard scurrying inside the workshop.
“Gobuda, what are you up to?”
Li Meng roared, pushing the door open.
The scurrying immediately ceased.
All the goblins stared fearfully at the boss standing in the doorway.
Especially Gobuda, who was tinkering with a triple-bow ballista in the corner.
“Not bad, not bad at all!”
Seeing the ballista in the corner, Li Meng’s eyes lit up.
He walked over to Gobuda with a satisfied expression.
As he walked, he didn’t hold back on his praise.
Gobuda chuckled nervously and greeted him obsequiously.
“Boss, you’re back so soon?”
“Over a month isn’t soon!”
Li Meng glared at Gobuda before approaching the ballista.
Gobuda shrank his neck, anxiously watching the ballista.
Looking at the ballista before him, Li Meng nodded repeatedly.
Although it lacked bowstrings, it resembled a proper ballista.
Its craftsmanship, however, was incredibly crude and clumsy.
The bow and frame were full of dents and imperfections.
“Not bad. All my teachings weren’t wasted on you!”
Li Meng was satisfied with Gobuda’s progress.
Now, it was up to Gobuda and the others to refine their skills.
Thinking this, Li Meng reached out to adjust the slightly crooked bow.
At his touch, the ballista suddenly fell apart.
With a series of clatters, its components scattered across the floor.
Li Meng’s outstretched hand froze mid-air, his expression blank.
Gobuda retreated two steps in terror.
He wanted to run but couldn’t move.
A thunderous roar echoed through the workshop.
The tribe’s goblins shuddered in unison, puzzled as they glanced toward the workshop.
Meanwhile, in a nearby forest, a group of female Lizardmen was returning to the tribe.
“High Priest, it seems to be that goblin’s voice.”
Hei Nana trembled, her expression filled with doubt.
Their master had been gone for over a month.
They had just given birth, and now he had returned.
Frequent pregnancies had left them physically and mentally exhausted.
Bai Ling’s heart sank as she remained silent.
The other female Lizardmen’s eyes also revealed a hint of fear.
In the following days, Gobuda’s luck seemed to have completely run out.
The woodworking workshop frequently echoed with Li Meng’s scolding and the goblins’ cries of pain.